A Psychonaut's Guide to the Invisible Landscape: The Topography of the Psychedelic Experience [Paperback]

Dan Carpenter (Author), Daniel Pinchbeck (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 2006

A bold cartography of the inner landscape visible only to those experiencing altered states

• Presents the psychedelic experience as an objective landscape that embodies the Other, rather than a subjective state of mind

• Provides corroboration of phenomena encountered by those who venture into this domain

Journeying into the invisible world revealed by his use of the dissociative psychedelic DXM (dextromethorphan), Dan Carpenter found that what he experienced was not simply subjective sensations and psychological states but an objective world of familiar, if inordinately odd, landmarks and characters. The running diary he kept of these voyages recounts impressions of a landscape charted by other travelers into this Inner Space and includes descriptions of many of the same phenomena recorded by such mind travelers as Terence and Dennis McKenna, Alexander and Ann Shulgin, and others who have experienced the hive mind--the pool of all consciousness. Into this territory where expression is like chaos theory, where oddly symmetrical order manifests out of the seemingly anarchic swirl of images and events, the author ventures with the mind-set of a naturalist, accepting whatever might be rather than what he hopes he might find. What emerges is not a location crafted by subjective experience, but a landscape that embodies the Other and that represents a conscious state in which the barriers between the self and the not-self dissolve.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Dan Carpenter’s forays into the fractal hyperspace and hive minds of the DXM realms offer a serious contribution to contemporary psychedelic thought. His work follows in the tradition of inner-space investigators such as Coleridge, Antonin Artaud, Aldous Huxley, and Terence McKenna. This will be a ‘must-read’ for every serious psychonaut.”
(Daniel Pinchbeck, author of Breaking Open the Head
)

“Like that of the intrepid scout who surveys the fantastical geography of new worlds for others too timid to venture first, Carpenter’s service will be honored and remembered.”
(Charles Hayes, author of Tripping: An Anthology of True-Life Psychedelic Adventures )

From the Back Cover

ENTHEOGENS / PSYCHOLOGY

“Dan Carpenter’s forays into the fractal hyperspace and hive minds of the DXM realms offer a serious contribution to contemporary psychedelic thought. His work follows in the tradition of inner-space investigators such as Coleridge, Antonin Artaud, Aldous Huxley, and Terence McKenna. This will be a ‘must-read’ for every serious psychonaut.”
--Daniel Pinchbeck, author of Breaking Open the Head: A Psychedelic Journey into the Heart of Contemporary Shamanism

“Like that of the intrepid scout who surveys the fantastical geography of new worlds for others too timid to venture first, Carpenter’s service will be honored and remembered.”
--Charles Hayes, author of Tripping: An Anthology of True-Life Psychedelic Adventures

Journeying into the invisible world revealed by his use of the dissociative psychedelic DXM (dextromethorphan), Dan Carpenter found that what he experienced was not simply subjective sensations and psychological states but an objective world of familiar if inordinately odd landmarks and characters. The running diary he kept of these voyages recounts impressions of a landscape charted by other travelers into this inner space and includes descriptions of many of the same phenomena recorded by such mind travelers as Terence and Dennis McKenna, Alexander and Ann Shulgin, and others who have experienced the Hive Mind--the pool of all consciousness. Into this territory where expression is like chaos theory, where oddly symmetrical order manifests out of the seemingly anarchic swirl of images and events, the author ventures with the mind-set of a naturalist, accepting whatever might be rather than what he hopes he might find. What emerges is not a location crafted by subjective experience, but a landscape that embodies the Other and that represents a conscious state in which the barriers between the self and the not-self dissolve.

DAN CARPENTER (1963-2005) took thirteen high-dose, closed-eye trips using DXM between January 2003 and July 2004, which he has documented in this book.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Park Street Press (February 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594770905
• ISBN-13: 978-1594770906
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #404,943 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book title, March 19, 2007

By 

Caryl Carp - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Psychonaut's Guide to the Invisible Landscape: The Topography of the Psychedelic Experience (Paperback)

I would like it to be known to two other reviewers who stated in effect that Dan Carpenter's title to his book was inappropiate, that Dan did not give his book the title "A Psychonaut's Guide to the Invisible Landscape". He had chosen either "Psychedelic Passageways" or "The Psychedelic Explorer". The publisher chose the title after Dan's death and shortly before the book went to print. I feel that this should be told to those two reviewers and to anyone who reads the reviews. It's only fair to let that fact be known since Dan is not here to say that himself.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Mind-Blowing!, August 9, 2007

By 

David J. Brown (Ben Lomond, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Psychonaut's Guide to the Invisible Landscape: The Topography of the Psychedelic Experience (Paperback)

I loved this book! For people who enjoy reading about heroic psychedelic adventures--and the mapping of uncharted hallucinogenic territory--this is a must read! Dan Carpenter follows bravely in the tradition of courageous mind explorers, like John Lilly, Terence McKenna, Zoe 7, and D.M. Turner. I couldn't put this book down. It's simply overflowing with fascinating ideas and mind-blowing firsthand accounts of amazing encounters with intelligent other-dimensional beings. Sadly, Dan has left this world (perhaps to enter the "Hive Mind" that he writes about), but thank the stars that he left us this extraordinary account of his travels and insights. Dan Carpenter will be honored by future generations for his brave explorations and excellent writing.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This is not a guide, December 14, 2006

By 

A. Perry "aperry_10030" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Psychonaut's Guide to the Invisible Landscape: The Topography of the Psychedelic Experience (Paperback)

The title of this book is misleading. It should have been titled "My DXM Experience" or some such. The word "guide" suggest that there would be recommendations. Given the extremely subjective nature of the psychedelic experience, any attempt to "guide" another psychonaut is pretty futile IMHO. I give the book three stars because the author does posit some interesting theories about consciousness. I would recommend buying the book used, or try finding it in your local library like I did.